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Although engaging in pleasant experiences following successful performance may be hedonically
rewarding, in the present research we proposed that individuals might forego pleasant
experiences when they have not yet completed a task. In Study 1 (N = 100), participants
reported the extent to which they would like to engage in pleasant experiences in a hypothetical
situation where their performance outcome on a task (successful vs. average) and task
completion (task in progress vs. completed) were manipulated. In Study 2 (N = 115), participants
were in a real situation in which they achieved either a successful or average performance
outcome. Task completion was manipulated (task in progress vs. completed) and
motivation to engage in a pleasant experience was assessed by a behavioral measure.
Results of both studies provided support for our prediction by showing individuals to have a
lower desire to engage in pleasant experiences following successful, but not average, performance
when the task was in progress than when it was complete. These findings are discussed
in light of the underlying mechanisms and consequences of the tendency to forego
pleasant experiences.